The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-11-26
IN HIS POCKET.
Exchange.

y that's how it came about. was just peeping about, looking into his old trousers, his coats and jackets and to see what could be mended and what could be sold to -peddler, or an old-clothes man, when I found in one of lem $20 bill.
 You see I was a little put out with Copper for telling me l was extrava- gant; and says to myself, here he is throwing his $20 bills about and never knowing it. So just put it in my pocket and said nothing. 'Twasn't stealing, anyhow. At tea time said to him: "Mr. Copper, lost any money lately?"
 "Haven't had any to lose," he says; and then says to myself, "fll buy that shawl I've wanted so long, and then Fll tell him."
 I set off next morning for the city, laughing in my sleeve to think of the good joke should have on him. l went to the store where l had seen the shawl, and there it was, handsome as ever. "What is the price?" says l. "We've marked everything down. It's SlS."
 Out took my $20 bill and handed it over. "Two dollars change" said l.
 Away he goes and back he comes. We can't change that bill, ma'am. Have you any other money?"
 "Can't change it! Why, you've only S2 to give me-"
 "Perhaps you've got the exact change" says he.
 '.No, I haven't. never heard of a store being so short of change before." Well, ma'am, we can't change that bill," and he handed it back to me and took up the shawl,
 1 walked out of the store as angry as could be. walked into another; there was none to my mind, and l went into another. There found a very nice German, who showed me so many shawls, and-was so polite, and I found nice red and yellow with blue center and a palm- leaf border and made up my mind to take it. It was only SIG. I handed over the money. After poking over little paper book and looking at my bill in the gravest manner he came back looking not halt as polite as he did before.
 "Here, num-" said he, i've can't change dis bill"
 Not change that bill2" says l.
 "No," says he; "giff me some oder moneys"
 "I haven't any more," says I. "Give me back the bill I won't buy the shawl"
 "Hafient you?" says he. Then he snatched up the shawl and cought me by the arm. "Hans, Hans, run fer der bolice."
 While was screaming and trying to get my bill back, and to shake his hand off my arm, in comes police man.
 "Dis vomans is passing counterfeit moneys on me-" says he. "I dink she is de same vomans dat sheated MT. Moses last week out of ten dollars"
 "I'm not" said I. ''I don't believe it's counterfeit. Give it back" But might as we'll have talked to the winds. In minute more there was I, being dragged down the street by two policemen, and all the boys in town at my heels, the German following on with my bill, and people from all the stores where 1 tried to buy shawls joining in, and was just going to drop down dead, when who should come around the corner but my hus- band himself I knew he was in the city, put it was only heavens mercy that brought him there that minute. "Oh, MT. Copper!' p cries l, "Mr. Cop perl"
 And he hears my voice, and up he walks. "What are you doing with my wife?" says he.
 "Arresting her for passing counter felt money" says the policeman.
 q found it in your pocket" said I. "It's twenty dollar bill"
 ''Oh?" said he. "Well, suppose you've got to see it through now. Just let my wife catch hold of me, MT. Policeman, and I'll go along, too."
 So they let go, and me and my old man, that never was disrespected be- fore, went along to the station house. me crying: he a-saying things under his breath, sich as "darn it" "consarn it, "marsy sakes alive" and "Jerusa- lem," and other pious kind O swearin' We went into a room where there was fat gentleman that called me pris- oner, and told the German to make his charge.
 "Dis woman is pass a gounterfeit moneys on me-" said the man.
 1sI didn't" says I.
 "Yes, you did," says my husband: :: ''the worst bill ever saw in my life. And, judge, jest look onto the back and you'll see This money is bad' writ on it. writ it there, anyhow"